Jagan questions Naidu’s 23-lakh jobs claim, cites data on energy demand and tax revenue

YSRCP President and former Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy.

YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) president and former Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy disputed the Chandrababu Naidu-led coalition government’s claims of rapid economic growth and employment generation, citing power demand, state tax revenue and unemployment figures as claims for Andhra Pradesh’s slowdown.

In a post on X, Mr Jagan argued that the government is projecting an exaggerated growth narrative while economic indicators point to sluggish industrial activity, weak consumption and insufficient job opportunities.

Citing data from the AP Electricity Regulatory Commission (APERC), it said electricity sales by distribution companies declined from 71,722 million units (MU) in 2023-24 to 70,885 MU in 2025-26. Energy dispatch in the same period also fell from 79,758 MU to 78,546 MU.

He argued that electricity demand should normally increase with industrial expansion, higher capacity utilization and rising household consumption in a growing economy. According to him, the decline indicates slow economic activity.

Mr. Jagan also cited the state’s own tax revenue, which has marginally increased from ₹85,922.36 crore in 2023-24 to a provisional ₹86,552.65 crore in 2025-26, according to CAG data. He pegged the two-year compound annual growth rate at 0.15% and attributed the trend to weak consumption and investment.

In terms of employment, he claimed that Andhra Pradesh was ranked fourth among states in unemployment in the first quarter and third in the second quarter of 2026-27. He disputed Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu’s claim of creating 23 lakh jobs in the state.

Mr. Jagan argued that the government’s growth demands were not reflected in these economic indicators.

Published – 12 Nov 2026 20:40 IST